Turystyka przyrodnicza i ekoturystyka są w Polsce wciąż niedoceniane, mimo iż na świecie rośnie popyt na tego typu imprezy. Brakuje zarówno kadr przygotowanych do zaprojektowania i poprowadzenia wycieczki przyrodniczej lub ekoturystycznej, jak i systemu zarządzania wiedzą o przyrodzie w gminie. W artykule podjęta została próba usystematyzowania zagadnień definicyjnych oraz zidentyfikowania potrzeb turystów w stosunku do oferty przyrodniczej, jak i określenia zadań dotyczących edukacji przyszłych organizatorów w tym zakresie. Zaprezentowano wyniki badań przeprowadzonych wśród turystów w trzech parkach krajobrazowych województwa wielkopolskiego, dotyczące potrzeb ankietowanych w odniesieniu do zdobywania wiedzy przyrodniczej oraz satysfakcji z pobytu w parku.

Nature tourism and ecotourism are still underappreciated in Poland although all over the world a demand for such kind of tourist events constantly rises. What is more, there are still problems with defining both phenomena. Also, due to a lack of well-educated staff, able to manage knowledge about natural resources and values – many local communities and real tourist attractions suffer from disorganization of the tourist offer and tourist pressure. A survey on tourists visiting three local landscape parks has been made by the Chair of the Human Ecology on Tourism and Recreation Faculty of the University School of Physical Education in Poznań. Respondents were asked about their needs connected with nature education, their attitudes to nature protection and their satisfaction from spending free time in protected areas. The results of this research are going to be published in this paper. Respondents admit that although they are still more interested in rest, they also tend to learn something about nature during free time and holidays. They feel attracted by natural values and resources but complain about the unattractive offers in this field. In conclusion a need of well prepared knowledge and environment management in natu-ral valuable areas is very actual and should been taken into consideration in a discussion about future tourist staff education.